At Imaging USA, PPA’s annual photography conference, a huge variety of class topics are on offer for photographers to attend. One of the most popular series is “Bridging the Gap” often referred to as “Gap Classes.” These programs, led by experienced photographers and savvy business professionals, addresses common challenges photographers face when running a business and serving clients effectively. 

In an area historically tough for creatives, these experts offer their best advice on how to better understand and meet their clients’ needs, without compromising their artistic vision. 

Some instructors are photography pros; others are experts in entrepreneurship, sales, and mindset. Together, they bring helpful insight to help photographers grow sustainably and confidently.  
This year, PPA members have access to nine recorded sessions, available to rewatch on demand. Non-members can also enjoy select recordings from the Podcast Supershow, listed below.

The Podcast Supershow | Recorded Live at Imaging USA

This live-recorded podcast series at Imaging USA aired on the Professional Photographer podcast, hosted by Pat Miller, owner and founder of the Small Business Owners Community. If you enjoy this content, be sure to like and subscribe to the @ourPPA YouTube channel to keep quality photography education coming to you. 
You can also subscribe to the Professional Photographer podcast wherever you get your podcasts. And please —leave us a review telling us what you liked, or what you’d like to hear more of! 

David Trust’s Expert Tips for Photographers
PPA's CEO, David Trust, CEO discusses the key strategies for achieving photography business success by balancing creativity with solid business practices. 

Photography Business Growth Secrets Shawn Lee Uses to Thrive
PPA's newest board member, Shawn Lee shares powerful strategies for harnessing creativity, creating community, and building an unstoppable mindset.

Creating Investment-Worthy Art with Tim Walden
Photography is often celebrated for its technical mastery, but rarely do we hear discussions that emphasize the importance of nurturing client relationships. Tim Walden reimagines photography as a medium that goes beyond aesthetics, focusing on the stories and emotions behind every click.

Stop Undervaluing Your Photography with Sheryl Bashore
Sheryl Bashore reveals how photographers can confidently set their prices to boost income and self-worth. Hint: it's all about mindset.

Bridging the Gap Classes | Recorded Live at Imaging USA

This collection of eight classes comes directly to you from this year’s Imaging USA instructors. Find a class that sounds interesting to you, sit back, and experience a bit of Imaging USA from the comfort of home!

The Courage to Go Together: Three Questions to Change How You Work, Live, and Lead | Shola Richards
Begin your watch party with this year’s outstanding keynote speaker, Shola Richards. Self-acclaimed, “kindness extremist,” Richards speaks to the importance of ubuntu in our lives. The term originates from the Bantu languages of Southern Africa and refers to the concept of having humanity towards others, roughly translating to, “I am because we are.” Learn more about how Richards applies this mantra to everyday life, client interactions, and so much more.

Tactics of Healthy High Achievers in Business | Lindsay Vastola
Business owners often find themselves trapped on the hamster-wheel of work and life; pulled between building their business and the demands of everyday life. At some point, these highly motivated professionals realize the traditional answer: “just find work-life balance,” doesn’t work for them. What they really need are more effective ways to achieve their business goals without it costing them their health, well-being, or most important relationships.

Is Your Business Truly Profitable? | Marco Rios
Is your photography business as profitable as it could be? Many photographers unknowingly leave money on the table—but this session with Marco Rios will help change that. You’ll learn how to evaluate your work, connect more deeply with clients, and build a business that’s profitable, exciting, and sustainable. Discover untapped markets, calculate your true value, and craft a marketing strategy that truly resonates. 

AI & Social Media: Boosting Workflow, Trust, and Creativity | Ronan Ryle, Zena Ryle, Alexsey Reyes
In this class, you’ll discover how to use AI to improve your marketing strategy and attract ideal clients. With the help of the Casey B AI tool, you can create a “client avatar” and then conduct research to fully understand what resonates with your clients. The strategies introduced in this class will help you to streamline content creation and produce targeted social media posts with increased efficiency. Alexsey Reyes will also demonstrate what AI tools he uses in Photoshop and Lightroom to improve photography workflow. 

Sell More with Story | Robert Hughes
Storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool to captivate audiences and drive conversions. In this session, Robert Hughes explores the art of storytelling and its potential to grow your business. Discover the seven secrets to crafting compelling narratives that deeply resonate with your target audience, evoke powerful emotions, and inspire immediate action from prospects! 

How to Make Your Time Worth $10,000 an Hour | Dr. Sabrina Starling
Too often, entrepreneurs waste time on low-value tasks or misplace their attention, getting little return. Dr. Sabrina Starling, The Business Psychologist™, shares research from over 600 entrepreneurs and 18+ years of coaching to reveal what truly drives sustainable profits. Learn the costly missteps many teams make and how to avoid them with proven systems that free up your time and fuel growth. Walk away with a breakthrough mindset for increasing revenue and reclaiming what matters most!

How to Become a Brand in Demand | Melinda Emerson  
In this session, Melinda Emerson—will teach you how to build a personal brand that positions you as the go-to expert in your field. You’ll learn how to craft a unique value proposition, become a thought leader, and stand out in your industry. She’ll break down key branding strategies, including how to leverage LinkedIn and the 6 Cs of social media marketing. 

Listen Carefully Respond Creatively | Darren Ross
Darren Ross, the founder of Magic Castle Hotel, took a dumpy little hotel and made it one of the highest rated in Los Angeles – due to his customer connection and attention. In this session, he will share his lessons on how to connect with your customer to provide the highest level of customer experience. 

Rewatch, Follow, & Share!

We hope you enjoy rewatching some of your favorite classes from Imaging USA and we hope you’ll revisit them whenever you need a boost! Your business, and your clients will thank you. 
If you found this helpful, we also encourage you to comment on your favorite episode of the Podcast Supershow and share to your photography friends! 
For fresh advice and inspiration on running your business and improving your customer service, check out the Professional Photographer podcast wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop each Tuesday and you also can watch them online our YouTube channel @ourPPA.